Grass shears with vertical handle action



F. KELLER GRASS SHEARS WITH VERTICAL HANDLE ACTION Filed July 28, 1953June 8, 1954 INVENTOR.

Patented June 8, 1954 GRASS SHEARS WITH VERTICAL HANDLE ACTION FrederickKeller, Sturgis, Mich., assignor to Midwest Tool & Cutlery Company,Sturgis, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 28, 1953,Serial No. 370,807

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in gardeners grass shearsor trimmers and, particularly, to improvements in shears of the type inwhich the blades are moved in a predetermined plane and are actuatedupon relative movement of a pair of handles in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane in which the blades are moved.

Devices of the general character referred to are well known in the art,but conventional devices have failed to attain optimum effectiveness andto meet the demands of the art. A grass shears of the character definedovercoming the failings of conventional grass shears is disclosed in thecopending application of Lucien I. Yeomans, Serial No. 288,174, filedMay 16, 1952, which has matured into Patent No. 2,662,285, grantedDecember 15, 1953, and which is assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication. It is an object of the present invention to provideimprovements upon the grass shears disclosed in the said copendingapplication.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provideimproved toggle linkage means, improved toggle actuating means, andimproved latch means in a grass shears of the character disclosed in thesaid copending application.

The grass shears disclosed in the said copending application comprises,generally, a pair of blades pivotally connected in criss-cross relationadjacent one end thereof, a relatively fixed handle, improved pivotmeans pivotally connecting the blades and supporting the blades on thefixed handle, a relatively movable handle pivoted to the fixed handle, atoggle linkage associated with and extending between the blades to thehandle side of the pivot, the toggle linkage and the movable handlebeing operatively associated with one another whereby actuation of thehandles effects actuation of the blades, and improved limit and lockmeans associated with the handles for automatically defining the limitsof blade movement and for locking the blades in their closed position.The toggle linkage in such structure comprises a pair of links eachpivotally connected to the extending end portion of oneof the blades,the two links being pivotally connected centrally between the blades, tothe handle side of the blade pivot, by means of a pivot pin whichextends upwardly and engages in a driving portion of the relativelymovable handle. The relative movable handle and the pin are soconstructed with respect to one another that straight line movement ofthe actuating pivot of the toggle linkage is insured.

According to the present invention, I provide an improved toggle linkagefor grass shears of the general character defined comprising a pair oflinks each pivotally connected to the end portion of one of the bladesof the shears to the handle side of the pivotal mounting of the blades.The two links extend generally laterally outwardly from the blades andthe free ends thereof are interconnected by means of a transverse strapextending between and pivotally connected to the links. This strapincludes a tongue portion extending generally transversely of the strapportion thereof and received in the relatively fixed handle of theshears to be guided by said handle for straight line movement in a givenplane. In such structure, as in the structure of the said copendingapplication, the arrangement is such that movement of the toggle linkagetoward its center or made position, during which movement the togglelinkage performs its greatest work, effects closing of the blades intheir cutting stroke. The advantages of such linkage reside in itspracticality, economy, efliciency and strength.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved latch orlock means for grass shears of the general character described.Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide ahighly economical and practical latch comprising finger means pivotallymounted in the relatively fixed handle for movement from anout-of-the-way position within the fixed handle to a latching positionwherein the finger the two handles to retain the handles and the bladesin the closed positions thereof. Further in accordance with the presentinvention, the said finger means includes a portion extending to theexterior of the fixed handle and comprising a crank for moving thefinger means from its out-of-the-way position to its latching position.In addition, the said relatively fixed handle is preferably providedwith detent means cooperable with the said finger means to retain thefinger means in its out-of-the-way position.

A still further object of the present invention is to dispose the saidfinger means of the improved latch adjacent but in spaced relation tothe housing of the pivotal mounting for the blades of the shears,whereby a space is defined between the pivot means and the finger'meansadapted for the reception and guidance of the transverse tongue of theconnecting bar or strap of the toggle linkage, whereby the said tongueportion is guided for movement in a given plane by a portion of thepivot means and a portion of the finger means of the latch.

A fu ther o je o; the invention is the p c vision of an improved grassshears of the general character defined that is economical ofmanufacture and assembly, convenient to use, and highly practical andeflicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with one manner ofconstructing and operating the improved grass shears of my invention, Ishall describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, apreferred embodiment of my invention and one mode of constructing thesame.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a partial vertical sectional view of the improved shears of.the present invention, the view showing the handles and latch in openposition in solid lines and the closed and latched position of thehandles in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on line22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom view taken substantially on the line3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring now the drawings, I have shown a preferred embodiment of myinvention as in cluding an upper handle member ID of generally channelshape in cross section, with the channel thereof opening downwardly, anda lower handle member I2, also of channel shape with the channel openingupwardly. If desired, the lower handle I2 may suitably be provided inthe lower surface thereof with a plurality of indentations (not shown)to provide a finger grip by means of which the handles may be actuatedwith respect to one another, the upper handle being received in the palmof the users hand. At the forward edge thereof, the lower handle member12 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending legs 14 by means ofwhich the lower handle [-2 is pivotally connected to the upper handleHl, suitably by means of a pin 15. As shown, the handle I2 is pivotallyconnected to the handle adjacent to but spaced from the forward end ofthe handle H! so that the handle I2 is adapted for movement within thehandle ID. 'The two handle members are normally biased apart by means ofa spring [6, which comprises a conventional torsion spring including acoil portion mounted on the pivot pin i5 and a pair of tangentiallyextending end portions each of which engages one of the handles normallyto bias the same apart.

At the forward end thereof, the upper handle member i6 is provided witha component part 22 comprising an inverted generally cup-shaped memberpresenting a cylindrical wall portion 24. The component part 22 issecured to the lower forward portions of the handle [0, preferably bymeans of welding. The component part 22 of the handle l0 comprises ahousing for the main pivot 28 of the shears and constitutes one point ofsupport for a pivot pin 30 of the main pivot '28. The pivot pin 30preferably comprises a bolt having a fixed support in the relativelystationary upper handle I!) and having a head adapted to be disposedexternally of the handles and the component part 22 in spaced relationto the fixed support thereof in the "handle. To provide a fixed supportfor the bolt 30 within the handle '1 0, and yet to accommodate readyremoval of the another.

4 pivot pin or bolt, a nut 32 is secured to the component part 22centrally of the end wall thereof. The nut 32 is preferably secured tothe end wall of the housing or part 22 by means of projection weldingand the component part 22 is preferably provided with an aperturecommunicating with the tapped bore of the nut to accommodate passage ofthe threaded portion of the bolt or pivot pin 30 if necessary. As shown,the bolt 3% is preferably provided with an enlarged central portion anda reduced threaded extension adapted to be threaded into the nut 32, theshoulder defined between the two portions of the shank of the boltserving to limit entry of the bolt into the nut.

The head of the pivot pin or bolt 30 pivotally supports a pair of shearblades or blade members 34 and 36, the two blades being substantiallyidentical, but being mounted oppositely of one another on the pivot pin38. As will be appreciated, each blade comprises a forward blade portion38 having a cutting edge, a central pivot portion 42 of generallycircular outline, and a rearwardly extending tab or lever portion 44.While the blades have been shown only fragmentarily in the drawings, thesame are of a generally conventional design well known in the art. Theblades 34 and 36, as thus formed, are disposed in criss-cross relationand are pivotally connected, by the pivot pin 36, adjacent one endthereof. At the central or intersecting portions 52 thereof, each bladeis apertured for the passage therethrough of the pivot pin or bolt 30.As is conventional, the cutting portions 38 of the two blades areoppositely curved, toward one another, in a direction transverse of theplane of the blades so that the cutting action of the blades occurssubstantially at a single point on the cutting edge of each blade at atime. In

other words, as the blades are moved toward one another, the cuttingaction of the blades will occur only at a single point, which pointadvances progressively from the inner toward the outer end of the bladesas the blades are moved toward one another to the closed positionthereof. This provides a highly efiicient cutting action and renders theblades self-sharpening.

In some prior art structures, the hereinbefore described cutting actionhas been accommodated by the flexibility of the blades themselves, inother structures by providing a loose pivot pin, and in still others byproviding means for flexibly or resiliently urging the blades toward oneHowever, in the copending application of Lucien I. Yeomans, an improvedmain pivot has been provided, the general principles of which pivot areincorporated in the present embodiment of the grass shears of myinvention.

Specifically, the improved main pivot includes the component part orhousing 22, and a spring pressed member 59 disposed within the housing22 and adapted to engage the upper blade 36 to confine the bladesbetween the member 59 and the head of the pivot pin or bolt 3%. Themember 50 is provided with a central aperture through which the pivotpin 30 extends so that the member 56 may move axially of the pin 38. Acoil spring 52 is confined between the top wall of the housing 22, thefixed support of the pivot pin, and the member to to bias the membertoward the head of the bolt 30 resiliently to confine the blades betweenthe head of the bolt and the spring pressed member. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that as the blades move toward one another, and thus tendto separate at portions thereof rearwardly of the engaged points of thecutting edges, the spring 52 will yield to accommodate spreading of theblade members and yet will retain the cutting edges of the blades inoperative association. Preferably, the spring 52 is spirally coiled andthe member 50 is a generally cup-shaped stamping, whereby the lowerlarge portion of the spring 52 is adapted to be pressed into the cup 50and the smaller upper end of the spring is adapted to engage about thenut 32, thus to provide a partial assembly between the nut 32, spring 52and member 50.

As will be apparent, the member 50 is received within and guided by thecylindrical wall portion 24 of the housing 22. The pin 30 passes throughthe central aperture provided in the member 56, the fit therebetweenbeing preferably of a quite intimate nature so that the member 50provides a second point of support for the pin 30, which second point isspaced from the first and relatively fixed support of the pin at the nut32. The member 50, like substantially all of the component parts of theshears of the present invention is preferably stamped from sheet metaland is received within the housing 22 to be closely guided by means ofthe cylindrical portion 24 of the housing, whereby a firm secondarysupport for the pivot pin is afiorded.

Adjacent the free end of the rearwardly extending tab or lever portion44 thereof, each of the blades 34 and 36 is provided with an apertureadapted for the reception of a pivot pin, 56 and 58, respectively, bymeans of which a toggle link, 60 and 52, respectively, is pivotallyconnected thereto. The links 60 and 62, as shown in Figures 2 and 3,outwardly of the lever portions 44 of the blades and at their outer endsare interconnected by means of an actuating bar 64 which extendsgenerally transversely of the blades and is pivotally connected at theopposite ends thereof to the respective links 60 and 62, as by means ofpivot pins 68 and 68, respectively. As will be appreciated, the leverportions 44 of the two blades are identical and have the samedisposition with respect to the pin 30. Also, the toggle links Bil and62 are identical so that the central portion of the actuating bar 54 isdisposed in alignment with the pivot pin 30 and the handles l0 and I2,the actuating bar being adapted for straight line movement in thedirection of a line passing through the center of the bar '54, the pivot39 and the engaged portions or points of the cutting edges of theblades. As will be apparent, the engaged portions or points of thecutting edges of the blades will each lie equi-distant from the pivotpin 3i. and will also each lie equi-distant from the center of theactuating bar 64 of the toggle linkage.

As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2, the central portion of theactuating bar 64 is elevated with respect to the end portions thereof sothat the actuating bar will not interfere with the pivot pins 55 and 58between the links 60 and 62 and the blades 34 and 36 when the blades aremoved to closed position, and so that the central portion of theactuating bar is disposed adjacent the top of the component part orhousing 22 of the handle l0 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

At the rearward edge of the central portion thereof, the actuating bar64 is provided with an upwardly extending angular projection for apurpose to be described. At the forward edge of thecentral portionthereof, the actuating bar 64 is provided with a forwardly projectingextension Cal or tongue 12, which extends transversely of the bar 64 andlongitudinally of the shears. The extension or tongue 12 comprises agenerally strap-like member disposed substantially parallel to thecentral portion of the bar 64 and formed of a Width and length equalapproximately to the interior width and length of the forward portion ofthe channel shaped upper handle ID. The component part 22 of the handleit, and the remainder of the main pivot 28, as pointed out hereinbefore,are formed in accordance with the said copending application of LucienI. Yeomans, with the exception that the housing and pivot members are ofreduced height with respect to the disclosure of the said copendingapplication. Thus, the component part 22 is adapted to accommodate entryof the tongue or extension 72 of the actuating bar 64 within the lowerforward portion of the handle Ill, wherein the tongue 12 is guided forreciprocal straight line movement longitudinally of the handles, andthus of the shears as a whole. Accordingly, straight line actuation ofthe toggle linkage is assured.

At the forward portion thereof, the lower handle member I2 is providedin the lower base wall thereof with a slightly depending portion 74provided with a central aperture adapted for the reception of theangular projection Ill of the actuating bar 64. The depending portion 14of the lower handle [2 comprises a driving portion by means of which theactuating bar 64 is engaged and moved upon actuation of the lower handle[2 with respect to the upper handle It. The driving or depending portion'14 of the lower handle member I2 is provided therein with a relativelynarrow slot adapted merely for the passage of one leg of the angularprojection 70, whereby the lower handle member l2 also assists inassuring straight line actuation of the bar 64 and the toggle linkage.

In assembly, the tongue portion 12 of the bar 64 is slidably receivedwithin the lower forward portion of the channel shaped upper handle ll]prior to assembly of the handles H) and I2. Then, the lower handle [2 isfirst associated with the angular projection it of the bar 64., bydisposing the lower handle I2 in a generally vertical position, movingthe handle l2 so that the horizontal leg of the projection Hi is passedthrough the slot in the handle l2 and bythen swinging the handle l2 withrespect to the projection 10 to dispose the same in the relativepositions shown in Figure 1, after which, the handle pivot pin I5 may bepassed through the handles it and I2 and the coil of the spring l6operatively to associate the two handles and the actuating bar.According to such structure, the actuating bar can never beinadvertently disassociated from the handles [0 and [2, except onremoval of the handle pivot pin I5.

In use and operation of the shears as thus far described, the upperhandle member E0, the component part or housing 22,'and the pivot pin38' are secured together and comprise relatively stationary portions ofthe shears. The spring pressed member 5!! is retained by the stationaryportions of the shears and the remainder of the apparatus is suitablyassociated with the handle l2, which is the relatively movable handle,for actuation thereby. As the shears is used, the hand of the userprimarily supports and guides the shears by means of the upper handleit], which as is apparent comprises a frame or housing for the supportand reception of the other components of the shears. Upon movement ofthe lower handle [2 toward the upper handle Hi, the lower handle swingsin an are about its pivotal mounting 15, so as to move the driving oractuating portion 14 thereof rearwardly with respect to the handle l0.As the driving portion 14 of the handle I2 is moved rearwardly, thevertical leg of the projection 18 of the actuating bar 64 is engaged andmoved rearwardly, such movement being in a straight line due to theguidance of the bar 64 by both of the handles.

As will be appreciated from a consideration of Figure 2, the togglelinks 68 and 82 are in collapsed position, angularly related, when thehandle member I2 is in its down position, at which time the blades andhandle are open. Accordingly, as the actuating bar 64 is movedrearwardly by the actuation of the handle member I2, the toggle links 60and 62 move toward their center of movement, that is, toward a straightline position, thus moving the lever portions 44 of the blades invvardlyto move the cutting edge: portions of the blades toward one another.When the toggle links 60 and 62 approach a position approximately in astraight line, as is shown in Figure 3, the blades are moved to theirclosed position, and are preferably moved to an overlapping position. Inview of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that as the blades areclosed and the cutting point therebetween moves outwardly along thelength of the blades away from the main pivot 28, the forcemultiplication factor of the toggle linkage is increased to provideextreme ease of operation. During closing movement of the blades, thespring pressed follower member 5!! maintains the blades inself-sharpening engagement and accommodates whatever movement isnecessary between the blades due to the curvature thereof. The togglelinkage is readily adapted to accommodate the slight movement requiredbetween the blades during closing movement thereof.

When the blades are moved to their closed position, it is merelynecessary for the user to relax his grip on the handle 32, whereupon thespring I6 moves the handle 12 downwardly or away from the handle It,thus causing the projection and the bar 64 to be moved forwardly to movethe toggle linkage to its collapsed position, wherein the links Bil and62 are disposed in angular relation and wherein the blades are opened.As will be appreciated, the narrow slot in the lower hanin dle i2intimately engages the angular projection 19 of the bar 64 to eliminatelost motion between the actuating handle l2 and the blades 34 and 3'6,whereby the blades and handles are maintained in positive drivingconnection.

During such actuation of the blades and the handles, the pivot pin isfirmly supported at spaced points by the spring pressed member 56 andthe nut 32, and the spring pressed member is so disposed with respect tothe blades and the pivot that bending stress is not imparted to thepivot pin 30 by the blades 3 and 36. Accordingly, operation of theshears is effected in a very ready and highly convenient manner. At thesame time, the toggle linkage is actuated in the most efiicient mannerpossible to reduce the exertion required on the part of the user incutting grass.

In grass shears of the general character referred to herein, it isnecessary that suitable means be provided to limit movement of theblades and handles in both directions, and it is also very desirable toprovide means for looking the blades in their closed positions to reducedanger in handling of the shears and to prevent dulling of the bladeswhen the shears are stored away. In accordance with these requirements,the present invention provides means for limiting blade and handlemovement in the form, first, of an upstanding leg portion on at leastone side wall of the channel shaped lower handle member 12, as indicatedat Iii, adapted to engage the base wall of the channel shaped upperhandle member In to limit closing movement of the handles and thus ofthe blades. Preferably, the leg or stop member 16 is formed by bendingportions of each of the side walls of the lower handle into abuttingengagement centrally of the upper handle whereby the lower handle isreinforced and a firm and positive limit or stop is provided. As tomeans for limiting opening movement of the blades and handles, theactuating bar 64 and the extension or tongue i2 thereof are admirablyadapted for cooperation with the handle iii to define a limit of openingmovement. In particular, the forward edge of the tongue 12 may suitablyabut against the base wall of the handle 19, or the laterally extendingportions of the bar 64 may suitably abut against the free edge of theside walls of the handle it, thus to limit opening movement. Suchmovement limiting means, as will be appreciated, are readily andeconomically provided.

As pointed out hereinbefore, the present invention provides improvedlatch means for shears of the general character described. Such meansis, according to the invention, of a highly economical and practicalnature and may suitably comprise, as is shown in Figures 1 and 4, agenerally S-shaped piece of spring steel or the like pivotally mountedwithin the handle member [0. In particular, as is best shown in Figure4, the latch comprises a piece of spring steel 18 bent in a suitablemanner, first, to provide a generally inverted U-shaped portion adaptedto be received within the channel shaped handle i!) and includinghorizontal portions journaled in the opposite walls of the channel ofthe handle, whereby the latch 18 is pivotal from an out-ofthe-wayposition within the interior of the handle, as shown in solid lines inFigure l, to a substantially horizontal position, as shown in dottedlines in Figure 1, wherein the U-shaped portion '83 thereof abuts theforward portion of handle it thus to prevent movement of the handlesaway from one another under the urge of the spring 16. To provide meansfor actuating the latching portion 3%) of the member 18, said memberpreferably includes a handle portion or crank 82 disposed exterior-1y ofone wall of the channel shaped handle member Iii and extending in thesame general plane as the U-shaped portion 86 thus to define a crankoperable by the user of the shears to lock and unlock the shears. Toprevent inadvertent or accidental disposition of the latch in itslocking position, I prefer to include a detent over which the latch itmust move in its travel to and from looking position. Specifically, asmall dimple may be formed in one side wall of the handle In to form aprojection 84 extending into the path of movement of one leg of theU-shaped portion 88 of the latch 18, whereby that portion of the latchmust flex resiliently to pass over the projection 84. Accordingly, theprojection 8G, in conjunction with one leg of the latch 18, forms adetent preventing inadvertent or accidental movement of the latch fromits out-of-the-way position to its locking position. As will beapparent, such latch, and the detent means therefor, is of an extremelyeconomical, and yet highly practical construction.

In'addition to the above, as will be apparent from Figure 1, theportions of the latch 18 that are journaled in the side walls of theupper handle are disposed in slightly spaced relation to the uppersurface of the housing 22 to define a passageway for the reception ofthe extension or tongue portion 12 of the actuating bar 54 so that thetongue 12 is confined between the latch 78 and the top of the componentpart or housing 22 of the handle l0, whereby movement of the actuatingbar 64 is confined to straight line movement in a horizontal plane, thusinsuring proper and optimum actuation of the toggle linkage.

As is briefly pointed out hereinbefore, substantially all of thecomponent parts of the grass shears of the present invention maysuitably comprise sheet metal stampings, while the remainder of theelements are formed in entirely conventional and economical manners.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the shears of the presentinvention is extremely economical in manufacture. Also, the assembly ofthe various component parts of the shears is readily and economicallyaccomplished. In. the end design, as will be readily appreciated fromFigure 1,the shears presents an extremely neat and efiicient appearance,which has heretofore been very difficult to attain due to thedisadvantages of prior conventional structures. Likewise, it will beappreciated that due to the particular construction and formationthereof, as described hereinbefore, the shears of the present inventionis extremely sturdy and adapted for service over extended periods oftime.

While I have described and shown what I regard to be a preferredembodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that various changes,rearrangements and modifications thereof may be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appendedclaims. 7

I claim:

1. A shears comprising a relatively fixed handle, a pivot pin fixedlysupported in said handle, a pair of blades pivotally mounted on saidpivot pin, a spring pressed member mounted on said pivot pin andresiliently retaining said blades in engagement, a second handlepivotally connected to said fixed handle for movement in a planetransversely of the plane of movement of said blades, a link pivotallyconnected to each of said blades to the handle side of said pivot pin,said links extending generally laterally outward from said blades, andan actuator bar extending between and pivotally connected to the freeends of said links, said links in the open position of said blades beingdisposed in angular relation and being movable by said bar towardstraight line relation to close said blades, said bar being connected tosaid second handle for actuation thereby.

2. A shears comprising a relatively fixed handle, a pivot pin fixedlysupported in said handle, a pair of blades pivotally mounted on saidpivot pin, a spring pressed member mounted on said pivot pin andresiliently retaining said blades in engagement, a second handlepivotally connected to said fixed handle for movement in a planetransversely of the plane of movement of said blades, a link pivotallyconnected to each of said blades to the handle side of said pivot pin,said links extending generally laterally outwardly from said blades, anda bar extending between and pivotally connected to the free ends of saidlinks, said links in the open position of said blades 10 being disposedin angular relation and being movable by said bar toward straight linerelation to close'said blades, said bar being connected to said secondhandle to establish driving connection between said second handle andsaid blades, said fixed handle including a portion of channel shape incross section adjacent said pivot pin, said bar including a tongueportion projecting within and conformably and slidably received planetransversely of the plane of movement of .said blades, a link pivotallyconnected to each of said blades to the handle side of said pivot pin,

said links extending generally laterally outward from said blades, and abar extending between and pivotally connected to the free ends of saidlinks, said links in the open position of said blades being disposed inangular relation and being movable by said bar toward straight linerelation to close said blades, said bar including a projection at therearward edge thereof, said second handle having a slot therein withinwhich said projection is received operatively to associate said secondhandle and said bar to establish drivin connection between said secondhandle and said blades, said bar at the forward edge thereof including aforwardly extending tongue, said fixed handle including a portion ofchannel shape adjacent said pivot pin, said tongue being slidably andconformably received within said channel portion of said fixed handle,whereby said bar is guided for straight line movement by said fixedhandle and said second handle, and a spring confined between saidhandles normally biasing said links to the said angular relationthereof.

4. A shears comprising a relatively fixed handle, a pivot pin fixedlysupported in said handle, a pair of blades pivotally mounted on saidpivot pin, a spring pressed member mounted on said pivot pin andresiliently retaining said blades in engagement, a second handlepivotally connected to said fixed handle for movement in a planetransversely of the plane of movement of said blades, a toggle linkagconnectin said blades, said linkage including a pair of links eachpivotally connected to one of said blades to the handle side of saidpivot pin, said links in the open position of said blades being disposedin angular relation and being movable away from said pivot pin towardstraight line relation to close said blades, means connecting said linksand said second handle to establish driving connection between saidsecond handle and said blades, the forward portion of said second handlebeing spaced from the forward portion of said fixed handle and saidpivot pin, said fixed handle including a portion of channel shapeadjacent said pivot pin, and a latch journaled in said channel portionof said fixed handle, said latch including a finger portion movable froman out-ofthe-way position in the channel portion of said fixed handletoward the forward portion of said Second handle when said second handleis moved toward said fixed handle and engageable with 11 the forwardportion of said second handle to retain said second handle in itsposition adjacent said fixed handle thus to retain said blades in theirclosed position.

5. A shears comprising a relatively fixed handle, a pivot pin fixedlysupported in said handle, a pair of blades pivotally mounted on saidpivot pin, a sprin pressed member mounted on said pivot pin andresiliently retaining said blades in engagement, a second handlepivotally connected to said fixed handle for movement in a planetransversely of the plane of movement of said blades, a link pivotallyconnected to each of said blades to the handle side of said pivot pin,said links extending generally laterally outward from said blades, a barextending between and pivotally connected to the free ends of saidlinks, said links in the open position of said blades being disposed inangular relation and being movable away from said pivot pin by said bartoward straight line relation to close said blades, said bar beingconnected to said second handle to establish driving connection betweensaid second handle and said blades, said fixed handle including aportion of channel shape adjacent said pivot pin, a housing around saidpivot pin for said spring pressed member, said bar including a tongueextending forwardly therefrom slidably and conformably received withinsaid channel portion of said fixed handle, and a latch journaled in saidchannel portion of said fixed handle in spaced relation to said housing,said latch being movable from an out-of-the-way position within saidchannel portion toward the forward edge of said second handle, saidsecond handle being movable toward said first handle to close saidblades, said latch bein engageable with the forward edge of said secondhandle in the closed position of said blades to retain said secondhandle in fixed relation to said fixed handle whereby said blades arelatched in the closed position thereof, said tongue being disposedbetween and guided for movement in a given plane by said housing andsaid latch.

No references cited.

